In Focus

For this month’s book club book we read The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. Sadly, I missed the monthly gathering of the club for the first time since we started getting together.

The story takes place in London from the viewpoint of one woman, Rachel, as she takes daily trips on the train. The beginning of the book I thought was boring, listening to a delusional drunk complaining about her cheating ex-husband Jason and his new wife Anna and their baby. Rachel could see her former home from the train and a few doors down lived Scott and Megan, and she fantasized about the beautiful life the good-looking couple had. 

Rachel would get drunk and try to talk to her ex-husband, mourning the loss of their relationship and missing him, even though he left her for another woman. Rachel began drinking when she couldn’t conceive, and it got worse after Jason left her. She would even go as far as showing up extremely drunk on Jason’s doorstep and, at one point, tried to take his child. Rachel’s antics caused much ire in Anna, and she understandably detested her. 

In the first half of the book, I thought I was just going to listen to a drunkard ranting and her fantasies. But that changed when Megan vanished. 

Rachel befriended Megan’s husband, Scott, telling him she was Megan’s friend instead of that she just watched her from the train and shared things she’d seen at the house, including another man. 

Rachel was in the neighborhood the night of Megan’s disappearance and was drunk to the point she couldn’t recall that night at all and how she had sustained injuries. 

The last half of the book was exciting. I was trying to figure out what happened to Megan and who was involved. Who was going to take a drunk seriously? The ending surprised me.

If you can handle a slow-burn start, this book ends up being very good. It wasn’t my all-time favorite, but the ending made up for the slow start. 

Apparently, there is a movie out there based on this book. I may have to watch it.

Due to the timing of the upcoming holiday, the club is taking a break in July and will pick up again in August.